Japan develops electric car worth $13,000

The Japanese company AIM from Nagoya has presented its new development: the subcompact electric car EVM, reports Drom.ru.

The new model has a two-seater body, the overall length and width are 2.5 meters and 1.3 meters, respectively, and the minimum turning radius is 3.5 meters.

The AIM EVM has been certified as an L7e class heavy-duty quadricycle with car-style controls. The requirements for this type of transport are less stringent than for conventional passenger cars. Also, quadricycles are permitted on public roads. In addition, there are certain technical restrictions regarding quadricycles. For example, the power of the traction electric motor should not exceed 15 kWh or 20 horsepower.

The AIM EVM chassis is made using frame-panel technology: the supporting structure is welded from steel pipes, the outer panels are made of composites.

Japan will produce up to 1,000 such electric vehicles per year. They are mainly aimed at residents of the Okinawa Island, which is far from the main islands of the country.

The exterior of the AIM EVM is made deliberately unusual and friendly. The company says that the style with rounded sides and “bulging” headlights should appeal to tourists visiting Okinawa.

The car is equipped with a 52 Ah (9.98 kWh) lithium iron phosphate battery and has a range of up to 120 km on a single full charge. The power supply from the household network is replenished in five hours.

The central part of the roof of the AIM EVM is removable, which means that this electric car can be transformed into a targa with a few simple manipulations.

The price of this car in Japan is 1.9 million yen (13 thousand US dollars).